Shelf unit for a shelving system and shelving system
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing shelving systems with bulky and heavy shelves are difficult to transport, assemble, disassemble, and clean due to their large size and bulkiness.
Innovation Solution
The shelving system is designed with a shelf formed by multiple elongated floor elements that rest on a support frame, allowing for easier transport and assembly, and featuring an intermediate space for ventilation and drainage, with openings for easy fastening of product separators and floor elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single large-area shelf is used to completely cover the interior space of the support frame, then the shelf provides complete coverage and support, but the shelf becomes bulky and heavy, making transport, assembly, conversion and dismantling difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf is divided into multiple individual floor elements instead of using a single large-area shelf. Each floor element is a separate component that can be individually handled, transported and installed. The floor elements are arranged side-by-side to collectively form the complete shelf surface, thereby reducing the weight and bulkiness of individual components while maintaining the overall coverage area.
2Area of stationary object
If a single large-area shelf is used, then complete coverage is achieved, but the shelf becomes bulky and difficult to handle during transport and assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf is segmented into multiple floor elements that can be individually transported and assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be easily handled without requiring heavy lifting equipment or complex assembly procedures, significantly improving ease of operation during transport and assembly while the collective arrangement of elements provides complete coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple individual floor elements are combined to form the complete shelf surface. Each floor element is simple and lightweight, but when merged together in the support frame, they collectively provide the same coverage area as a single large shelf, thereby achieving complete coverage without the bulkiness and handling difficulties.
3Loss of substance
If floor elements are arranged at a distance from one another forming intermediate spaces, then material is saved and ventilation is facilitated, but the shelf structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf is segmented into discrete floor elements with intentional spacing between them, creating intermediate spaces. This segmentation naturally reduces material usage compared to a solid continuous shelf, and the modular nature of the segmented structure actually simplifies the overall design and assembly process despite the presence of intermediate spaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A shelf unit for a shelving system has a shelf and a support frame carrying the shelf. The support frame has a front frame part, a rear frame part and two lateral frame parts, which are connected to one another to form a through-opening. The shelf is formed by a plurality of elongated floor elements, each of which rests with its longitudinal ends on the front frame part and the rear frame part. The floor elements have an elongated base body with an upper side having a product support surface and with a lower side that, in the area of each longitudinal end of the base body, has a bar that extends in the longitudinal direction of the base body, and is inserted into an insertion receptacle of the support frame of the shelf unit. A shelving system has at least one such shelf unit.